Health benefits of coconut oil

• Coconut oil strengthens the immune system. It helps in dealing with viruses and bacteria causing diseases such as influenza, cytomegalovirus, hepatitis and even HIV.
• Virgin coconut oil balances out-of-range cholesterol levels in the body.
• Coconut oil helps reduce risk for heart disease and stroke.
• Coconut oil helps reduce risk of cancer.
• Coconut oil helps in controlling blood sugar.
• Coconut oil enhances weight loss. Fats contained in coconut oil are easily converted into energy quickly, thus giving it no time at all to accumulate in the body. Coconut oil also speeds up metabolism, and boosts energy and endurance.
• Applying coconut oil to the head followed with a gentle massage helps in removing anxiety and stress.
• Coconut oil helps in preventing premature aging and degenerative diseases due to its antioxidant properties.
• Coconut oil helps in improving the digestive system and thus prevents various stomach and digestion related problems. Coconut oil also helps in absorption of important nutrients.
• As coconut oil improves the ability of our body to absorb important nutrients (including minerals, such as calcium and magnesium), it helps in getting strong bones and teeth.
• Coconut oil helps in preventing liver, kidney and gall bladder diseases.

Add coconut oil to your daily diet! It can be a healthy alternative to butter or margarine. It is also ideal for frying foods, as it possesses a high smoking point. Moreover, coconut oil is very stable, and has a long shelf-life.

Coconut oil for a healthy hair
Virgin coconut can give you stronger, shinier and healthier hair.  It strengthens your hair shaft and root, reducing split ends and hair breakage. Coconut oil is the best hair treatment for dry, damaged hair and itchy scalp. Regular massage of the head with coconut oil ensures that your scalp is free of dandruff, lice, and lice eggs.

Coconut oil hair treatment recipe:

• Scoop out some coconut oil into a cup. Put the cup in a pot with warm water to melt the oil.
• Pour some of the warm oil into hands and run your fingers through your dry hair.
• Coat your hair with the oil. Use just enough so that the oil will penetrate the hair, without leaving an oily or greasy look. Use more oil at the ends, less in the middle and near the roots.
• Put on a shower cap. For very dry hair, leave the treatment overnight; for oily or normal hair, leave it for an hour.
• Wash out hair with a gentle shampoo. Skip using a conditioner.

• For dandruff treatment, combine coconut oil with two-three drops of tea tree, rosemary, geranium, or cedarwood essential oils.

Coconut oil for a healthy skin
Virgin coconut oils will moisturize and nourish your skin using only its pure natural ingredients, without any preservatives, chemicals or solvents. It improves skin lipid levels, increases hydration, reduces roughness and scaling, and fights viruses and bacteria.

Deep skin moisturizing and conditioning treatment:

• Shower and exfoliate all over your body.
• While still in the shower take some virgin coconut oil and rub between your palms to melt the oil.
• Massage the oil onto your skin.
• After covering your body in coconut oil, rinse off in warm water.
• Step out of the shower and use your towel to gently pat dry your skin. This will leave a nice thin layer of coconut oil on your skin.

Do this treatment right before going to bed, several times a week, and you would not experience any dry itchy skin symptoms – even during the cold dry winter months.

• Virgin coconut oil is safe to use as a facial moisturizer. It does not clog pores. Moreover, it can help reduce acne symptoms.
• Coconut oil is gentle enough to use as eye makeup removal, and it can lubricate the skin for shaving.
• Coconut oil make it a great topical remedy for rosacea, psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema and diaper rash.
• Coconut oil makes great massage oil. It is easily absorbed by the skin and promotes healing. It will make your skin soft, shiny, smooth, and mmm… yummy!

Immune system is a “shield” that defends our body’s cells against attacks by bacteria, microbes, viruses, fungi, free radicals, etc. The immunity has to be in perfect condition to perform its functions. These natural and simple homemade recipes will help you strengthen your immunity and protect your family from cold and flu viruses!

Vitamin cocktail recipe

• 1 cup – water
• 1 tbsp – honey
• 1 tbsp – lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp – crushed ginger root
• 1/6 tsp – cinnamon

Blend the ingredients. This cocktail is a great energizer and immunity booster.

Vitamin desert recipe (kids love it!)

• 1 cup – walnuts
• 1 cup – raisins
• 1 cup – dried pitted apricots
• 1 cup – dried pitted prunes
• 3 tbsp – honey

Grind nuts and dried fruit in a food processor. Add honey and blend until a smooth paste. Take 2 tbsp. daily.

Vitamin salad recipe

• 2 kiwis
• 2 tangerines
• 1 orange
• 1 apple
• 1 banana
• 1 tbsp. – walnuts halves or pieces
• 2 tbsp – plain yogurt or sour cream
• 1/6 tsp – cinnamon
• 1/6 tsp – coriander (optional)

Peel and chop the fruits. Mix all the ingredients. Enjoy!

Vitamin tea recipes

Rose hip tea: 4 tbsp. of dried, crushed rose hips add to 4 cups of water. Boil for about 15 minutes. Allow steeping for 10 minutes. Serve warm.

Apple tea: 3 apples (unpeeled, chopped) add to 4 cups of boiling water. Let it simmer slowly for about 5 minutes or so. Remove from heat and allow steeping for 30 minutes. Add honey to taste. Drink it within a day.

Cranberry tea: Mash 1 tbsp. of cranberries with back of spoon until pulpy. Add it to 1 cup of your favourite tea. Add honey to taste.

Egg shampoo recipe

• 1 egg
• 1 tsp – olive oil, wheat germ oil or almond oil
• 1 tsp – lemon juice
• 1 tbsp – castile soap
• 1/2 cup – water or herbal tea

Blend the ingredients together, wash your hair and rinse well.

Aromatherapy shampoo recipe

• 1 tbsp – castile soap
• 1/2 cup – water
• 5 drops – essential oil.  Choose essential oils according to your hair type:

Dry hair: sandalwood, ylang ylang, lavender essential oils
Normal hair: rosemary, rose, lavender, geranium essential oils
Oily hair: lemon, sage, lemon, tea tree, lavender, geranium essential oils
Dandruff and itchy scalp: rosemary, tea tree, lemon, chamomile, lavender essential oils

Blend the ingredients together, wash your hair and rinse well.

Herbal shampoo recipe

• 1/2 cup – castile soap
• 1 tsp – olive oil
• 1 tbsp – aloe vera juice
• 1/3 cup – herbal infusion

To make an herbal infusion, pour one cup boiling water over a handful of dried flowers (chamomile for blondes, rosemary for brunettes, hibiscus for redheads). Cover, cool and filter. Blend the ingredients, wash your hair and rinse well.

Honey shampoo for dry or damaged hair

• 2 cups liquid castile soap
• 1/2 half cup of honey
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoon vitamin E liquid.

Blend well. Wash massaging into the scalp.

For extra shine, add a dash of apple cider vinegar or a couple of drops of pure lemon oil to your final rinse.

This attitude of opting for the quick and easy route and falling back on the antibiotic alternative every time one needs to treat colds and flu has been instrumental in making antibiotics ineffective in many cases. The use of antibiotics without paying heed to their long term affects leads to a situation where bacteria use the drug for their own metabolism. The antibiotic, instead of killing, starts helping in the growth of the bacterium because it has developed resistance to it.

Fighting disease is the job of the immune system, a complex system of reciprocal action, which activates the moment it recognizes a foreign substance in the body. The state of your immune system’s health determines how frequently you fall ill with chronic infections, cold and flu and cold sores or genital herpes. An extremely weak immune system can be counterproductive and can start attacking the body’s own cells and cause serious conditions known as autoimmune diseases.

From a minor scratch to attacks by viruses and bacteria, the immune system is the key to fighting disease. True health is achieved only when your immune system is strong enough to combat disease on its own and herbal antibiotics and herbs for immune system play an important role in attaining it.

If you see signs of a weak immune system characterized by frequent bouts of common cold and flu, mix ½ tablespoon each of tinctures of roots of Echinacea, pau d’arco bark, Ginseng (Siberian), licorice, astragalus and bupleurum. Take three tablespoons every day for five days and double the dose in the event of an infection. Astragalus and Echinacea fight cancer cells, improve lymphatic functions and contribute to the progress of immune system health.

Garlic and ginger roots have proven qualities of treating ailments like common cold and sore throat. Make tea by adding a little bit of ginger juice to soothe your throat. Garlic contains a rare mineral, germanite that boosts immune system.

Vitamin C is essential for production of adrenal hormones and lymphocytes and directly combats bacteria and viruses. A dash of lemon juice in water mixed with a tablespoon of pure farm produced honey taken daily can effectively keep common colds at bay.

Taken in conjunction with flavonoids Vitamin C is easily absorbed in the body. Flavonoids are plant secondary metabolites known for their high antioxidant properties. Choose to eat whole fruits, grains and vegetables and see the difference they make to your health.

Stress, poor diet, lack of sleep, food preservatives and environmental toxins are major factors that wear down the immune system. Rather than ingesting foods that can potentially weaken your immune system, the long term aim of your diet and daily routine ought to aim for a healthy immune system.

Ingredients:

• 2 stalks celery
• 1 cup green cabbage
• 1 cup Chinese cabbage
• 1 broccoli florets
• 1 bunch of scallions
• 1 tomato
• 1 leek
• 1/2 shallot
• 1/2 zucchini
• 1/2 cucumber
• 1/2 red paper
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 fresh chili pepper
• Water or vegetable broth to cover

Cut all vegetables, put into your pot, and cover with the broth or water. Bring to boil and let simmer for about 5-8 minutes. If you want, add some salt, pepper, and fresh herbs.

Be firm in your decision. If you eat nothing but this soup for a day or two, you will see the result. And believe me, you will want to repeat these “soup days” again soon. Happy cleansing!

Herbal oil insect repellent
Use this oil every day when bugs are at their worst. As a bonus, your skin will be soft, conditioned, and pleasantly fragranced.

• 1/2 cup soybean base oil (it has natural insect-repellent properties)
• 15 drops each of the following essential oils: lemongrass, geranium, catnip
• 10 drops basil or eucalyptus radiate essential oil

Add all ingredients directly to a storage container (squeeze bottle or glass spritzer). Shake the mixture to blend, and allow it to synergize for 1 hour. No refrigeration is required, but for maximum freshness and potency, please store the blend away from light and heat and use within 6 to 12 months. Shake well before each use. During the height of bug season, you can use this herbal oil-based repellent as a bath oil, scalp massage oil and all-purpose body moisturising oil.

Lemony insect repellent spray
This light-textured natural repellent leaves your skin feeling fresh and clean and pleasantly scented.

• 2 cups witch hazel
• 1 teaspoon vegetable glycerine
• 20 drops citronella essential oil
• 20 drops lemongrass essential oil

Combine all ingredients in a 16-ounce spray bottle. Shake the mixture vigorously to blend. No refrigeration is required, but for maximum freshness and potency, please store the blend away from light and heat and use within a year. Shake well before each use. Apply liberally to skin as needed – approximately, every hour. Caution: This blend may stain white or pale-colored clothing.

Reference: Tourles, S. (2007) Organic body care recipes.

Related posts:
Summer skincare
Staying healthy during the summer season
Natural remedies for itch and sting relief
Natural home remedies for sunburn relief

1 – polyethylene teraphthalate (PETE or PET)
Used to make water and soft drink bottles, salad dressing bottles, peanut butter and jam jars, etc.
PETE is not known to leach any hazardous chemicals, but it is not suitable for repeated, long-term use. It is safer not to reuse them.

2 – high density polyethylene (HDPE)
Used to make milk and juice bottles, yogurt cups, shampoo bottles, grocery bags, etc.
HDPE is not known to leach any hazardous chemicals.

3 – polyvinyl chloride (PVC) vinyl (V)
Used to make cling wraps for meat, cheese, and other foods sold in groceries, etc.
PVC may release toxic breakdown products into food and drinks. Phthalates, commonly found in PVC, are endocrine disruptors – substances that interferes with the body’s natural hormone system. di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), is a suspected human carcinogen. Avoid #3!

4 – low density polyethylene (LDPE)
Used to make wash bottles, bread and frozen food bags, sandwich bags, etc.
LDPE is not known to leach any hazardous chemicals.

5 – polypropylene (PP)
Used to make cloudy plastic water bottles, yogurt cups, ketchup bottles, etc.
PP is not known to leach any hazardous chemicals.

6 – polystyrene (PS)
Used to make take-out containers, cups, some toys, foam insulation, etc.
PS can release styrene and butadiene, suspected human carcinogens. Avoid #6!

7 – “other plastics”.
Used to make re-useable water bottles, food containers, baby bottles, microwave ovenware, plastic coating for metal cans, etc.
Polycarbonate bottles or containers release the chemical Bisphenol A (BPA) into liquid stored in them. BPA is an endocrine disruptor that has been shown to interfere with reproductive development in animals and has been linked with cardiovascular disease and diabetes in humans. While the exact toxicity of Bisphenol A is still subject to debate, it is safer to avoid #7!

To reduce health risks from toxins leaching into your food and drinks:

- Do not warm plastic containers in the stove or microwave. A “microwave-safe” label on a plastic container does not guarantee that it shouldn’t leach chemicals into foods when heated: it only means that it shouldn’t melt or crack. Use glass or ceramic bowls instead.

- Do not place plastic containers in a dishwasher. Hand-wash them gently with a nonabrasive soap.

- Do not store hot or warm beverages in plastic bottles. Use glass or stainless steel bottles instead.

- Remove food from store plastic wrap before thawing or reheating in a microwave.

- When you buy cling-wrapped food (e.g., meat or cheese) that you do not use at once, store it in a glass or ceramic container.

- Store flour, spices, sugar, and other dry goods in glass containers.

- Do not reuse disposable plastic food containers and cups.

- Reusable plastic food containers should be replaced when they have turned discolored or if cracks start to appear.

Reference:
Government of Canada (2008). Safety of Plastic Containers Commonly Found in the Home. http://www.chemicalsubstanceschimiques.gc.ca/challenge-defi/plastic_fs_e.html

• Always apply a natural lip balm to protect your lips. Applying it before applying lipsticks will prevent your lips from dryness and exfoliation.
• Massage your lips with a soft toothbrush twice a day. Finish with lip balm or olive oil.
• Eat plenty of veggies and fruits. Also, make sure you take enough A, E and B vitamins.
• Keep yourself well hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
• Give up licking your lips.
• Once a week apply exfoliation scrub on your lips:

Brown sugar lip scrub recipe
1 tsp brown sugar
1 tsp olive oil
Mix and massage into lips for about 30 seconds, rinse and finish with lip balm.

• Once a week, make a mask that will nourish and soften your lips:

Carrot and sour-cream mask recipe
1 tsp carrot juice
1 tsp sour-cream
Mix and spread this mixture on your lips for a few minutes, rinse and finish with lip balm.

• This mask is a great remedy for cracked, chapped and dry lips:

Apple and butter mask recipe
1/2 grated apple
1 tsp unsalted butted
Mix and spread on your lips for 15-20 minutes. Rinse with cool water.

• Occasionally, apply honey on you lips for at least 5 minutes. Then, if you wish, just lick it off